Classics, Comedy and Can-Can Featured in DePauw Opera's Orpheus in the Underworld, February 10-13

February 4, 2005

February 4, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - The DePauw University School of Music begins its spring schedule with its annual opera production, Jacques Offenbach's hilarious spoof on the classic Orpheus myth, Orpheus in the Underworld. The production runs from Thursday, February 10 through Sunday, February 13 in Moore Theatre of DePauw's Performing Arts Center. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee starting at 2:30 p.m.

Written in 1858, Orpheus in the Underworld is the first and best known of Frenchman Offenbach's operettas. A hilarious spoof on the classic Orpheus myth, this highly disrespectful romp reaches its climax in the riotous revels of the celebrated "Can-Can." The DePauw performance will use a relatively new production that is in English.

"I love and feel very comfortable with this style and repertoire," says director of DePauw Opera Theatre and fifteen-year veteran of the Ohio Light Opera, Dawn Harris. "Almost all of my directing experience has focused on operetta. This familiarity concerning the genre as well as a desire to incorporate as many student participants as possible led to the eventual choice of Orpheus in the Underworld. As a result, there are over forty DePauw students involved in a spectacular production that features large choral and dance numbers. "It's a remarkable display of the School of Music's talent because everyone's involved,"says senior Linden Christ, who plays Orpheus' wife, Eurydice.

Tickets may be purchased in advance and are $4 for students and $7 for the general public. For more information, call (765) 658-6737 or send an e-mail here. Visit the DePauw University School of Music by clicking here.